Game Wars

The massive consumer demand that greeted last year's release of the Sony PlayStation2 gaming console may be a preview of good things to come for video game rivals Microsoft and Nintendo.

0shares

The massive consumer demand that greeted last year's release of the Sony PlayStation2 gaming console may be a preview of good things to come for video game rivals Microsoft and Nintendo. Both companies will be launching their next console systems this fall, with the Nintendo Gamecube arriving on November 5 and the Microsoft Xbox hitting the market three days later. Both consoles were unveiled this May at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles.

According to a recent study by researchers at IDC, console revenues will approach $17 billion a year by 2003, and Forrester Research estimates that 70 million households will have at least one video game system by 2005.

The Xbox will launch with a $299 price tag, the same debut price the PlayStation2 had last year. Microsoft plans to have 600,000 to 800,000 systems available on November 8, and it intends to ship up to 1.5 million units through the holiday season. Consumers will also have 15 to 20 titles to choose from when the Xbox arrives in stores.

Microsoft has also promised that users can expect broadband support in early 2002, but it stresses that the Xbox is a gaming machine, not a device for browsing or sending e-mail. Rumors had swirled that Microsoft's and Nintendo's consoles would reach for many PC-like capabilities. Nintendo, which has not yet announced the price of its console or the number of units it plans to ship, has also positioned its Gamecube solely as a gaming console.

Meanwhile, Sony is forming new partnerships with AOL, Cisco Systems, Macromedia, and RealNetworks. The company also announced new PlayStation2 expansions, including a 40GB hard drive and a hybrid modem/network adapter. Owners of the PlayStation2 will soon be able to log on to the Internet and use a Shockwave-supported Netscape browser, as well as RealPlayer 8. There are also plans to add an LCD as well as a keyboard and mouse to the console.

Earlier this year, former competitor Sega left the hardware arena and discontinued production of its Dreamcast console, which was well received by critics but failed to become a commercial success. Sega announced that it will instead focus on developing game titles for other systems, and company president Peter Moore has announced two upcoming titles that gamers can expect to see for the Microsoft Xbox: Crazy Taxi 2 and House of the Dead 3. According to Moore, there are advantages to focusing on game titles only. "You know what you can afford when you get out of the hardware business," he says.

Automatic Renewal Program: Your subscription will continue without interruption for as long as you wish, unless
you instruct us otherwise. Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of the term unless you authorize
cancellation. Each year, you'll receive a notice and you authorize that your credit/debit card will be charged the
annual subscription rate(s). You may cancel at any time during your subscription and receive a full refund on all
unsent issues. If your credit/debit card or other billing method can not be charged, we will bill you directly instead. Contact Customer Service